The Maryland House Judiciary Committee is slipping. It has only killed four of the seven bills introduced by pro-citizenship Del. Pat McDonough (R-) this year.
Proposals to:
- keep detained suspects in custody until they prove they have a right be in America,
- force law enforcement agencies in the state to enter into a memorandum of understanding to enforce federal immigration law,
- require District Court commissioners ask a defendant to provide information on the defendant's legal status in the United States before the court or a District Court commissioner authorizes the defendant's pretrial release
- and Requiring the Division of Correction and the Division of Parole and Probation to forward specified information from a specified case record, presentence investigation report, respectively, to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
failed in committee. The McDonough-linked bills are the only ones rejected by the committee Del. Joe Vallerio (D-P.G.) heads. Critics once labeled the chairman “Illegal Joe” apparently do his sympathies for undocumented aliens.
As it stands, counties and municipalities could be required to reject the “sanctuary” status many have given illegal aliens. Failure to do so, under H.B. 677, would result in state funds being withheld from lower governments.
A hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 15 in Annapolis.
H.B. 744 would authorize state law enforcement officers who are authorized to do so by the federal government to verify the immigration status of specified persons and inform a specified federal agency as soon as possible. Officers would be prohibited from considering race, color, or national origin in implementing the law.
A hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 22 in Annapolis.
Del. Shelia Hixson (D-Mont.) has sponsored a long overdue bill that would prohibit law enforcement agents from inquiring into the immigration status of an individual who reports or is a cooperating witness. Under H.B. 896, these protections would extend to parents and guardians. A similar measure failed in Virginia last year.
A hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 22 in Annapolis.
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